ROCKY MOUNT, NC – The William Peace Softball Team got off to a slow start Wednesday afternoon, dropping the first of two conference games to NC Wesleyan, 7-4, before bouncing back to salvage a split in game two.
The Pacers trailed, 2-0, through five, but they scored four runs in the sixth and held on to win, 4-3, thanks in large part to Morgan Bryant's game saving, web-gem-worthy catch in the gap with a runner on second in the bottom of the seventh.
WPU is 17-12-1 overall with a 14-6 record in the USA South, which is good for second in the conference heading into the final weekend of the regular season. The Pacers host third place Ferrum (20-10, 13-7 USAS) on Senior Day this Sunday.
NC Wesleyan is 14-14 overall and hanging on for dear life to the eighth and final conference tournament spot with a 10-10 conference record.
Game One: NC Wesleyan 7, William Peace 3
It was the case of one bad inning for WPU in game one, as Wesleyan scored five runs in the third. The Pacers showed signs of life in the fourth and fifth innings but couldn't climb out of the early hole they dug themselves.
Morgan Farmer (6-6) was pinned with the loss, giving up five runs on five hits in two plus innings of work. Heather Dindinger held Wesleyan to a pair of runs (one earned) over the next three frames before Lauren Martin spun a scoreless sixth.
Shat Poteat went 2-for-4 at the plate, while Casey Taylor added a hit, two walks, an RBI and a run scored. Dindinger and Martin each collected a hit and scored a run.
Logan Lowery (5-8) earned the win, going the distance for NC Wesleyan. Makellah Mann went 3-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Sarah Roberts recorded two hits and two RBI. Jasmine Edgren's lone hit was a big one, as she roped a bases loaded, base clearing double down the left field line in the third.
Game Two: William Peace 4, NC Wesleyan 3
WPU trailed, 2-0, through five innings but finally showed why they are one of the league's leading offenses, putting up a four spot in the sixth. The Bishops cut it to one in the bottom half of the inning and had the tying run on second base with one away in the bottom of the seventh. Sarah Roberts sent a shot to the gap that was supposed to be a game-tying double, until Bryant came out of nowhere, ranging to her right from centerfield and sprawling out for a heroic, game saving catch.
After her brief stint in game one, Martin (6-2) started game two and went all seven innings for the win in her second complete game of the year. Martin helped her own cause at the plate, ripping a two-run double down the left field line, which highlighted the Pacers' big sixth inning.
The Pacers loaded them up with no outs in the sixth, as Farmer drew a walk to lead off the inning followed by consecutive singles up the middle off the bats of Poteat and Casey Taylor. Bryant came up and drew a walk to score Farmer. Poteat advanced to third on Bryant's walk and came home on a wild pitch during Ragan Taylor's at bat.
Farmer finished the game 2-for-2 with two talks and a run scored, while Wiggins and Casey Taylor both went 2-for-4. Caroline Womble, Ragan Taylor and Heather McLean also chipped in with one hit apiece.
Jasmine Edgren (9-4) was tacked with the loss for Wesleyan, surrendering four runs on eight hits in five innings pitched. Kendra Hoes went 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Kaitlyn Checkan and Tiffany Manning both collected a pair of base hits.
The Pacers kick things off against Ferrum this Sunday at 1:00 p.m., but be sure to get there early, as WPU recognizes its senior class, which includes Heather Dindinger, Michelle Sheldon-Gregorio, Lauren Martin, Ragan Taylor and Casey Taylor.
Stay up to date with William Peace Athletics via social media: Like us on Facebook, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram
